I'd like to give credit to John Barnes and the rest of the UCLA Bruins, and my condolences to the Trojan players. Once again Larry Smith and his staff were out-coached, and the natural talents of the defense and Curtis Conway and Co. were unable to bail them out this time. So the USC students, faculty, alumni and fans had to endure another improbable loss in Smith's inconsistent tenure as head coach. We deserve better, President Sample: We've had enough mediocrity. CHUCK SARGENT Bakersfield

In "College Students Cramming--Into Dorms" (Sept. 28), the pictures speak for the entire article: The UCLA freshman is trying to figure out where to put all of her stuff in a room meant for two people, but housing three, while USC students kick back in a hotel Jacuzzi at their makeshift dorm rooms. As a public relations major at USC, I am insulted at the picture that was literally painted of the housing situation at our school. The students living in the Radisson are paying more per semester than the on-campus students; they receive the same amount of maid service as an on-campus dorm dweller--an occasional wipe-down of the bathroom; they do not receive the pampering normal hotel guests do. Students are required to bring their own bedding.

David Myers made reference (Sept. 7.) to the fact that on the first day back to class, the Promenade complex was quiet . . . you were not here after 9 p.m., when the USC students congregate around the pool area. The noise level, at times, is unbearable. You also have not been here after midnight when the parties begin. Secondly, as far as parking is concerned, valet parking is for guests, not tenants. There have been quite a few problems, which seem to have worsened since the students moved in. Unauthorized cars have been blocking tenants' cars . . . I was the victim today!

The last time the police rolled in force onto the UCLA campus was to break up a student protest and arrest 99 demonstrators who had taken over the faculty center. But that was last week. On Thursday the police were back, red lights flashing and sirens blaring. This time, though, the line of patrol cars was carrying rival USC students into the heart of the UCLA campus.

I was disappointed to see the photo captioned "Happy Hour" accompanying the Sept. 1 articles "Tempest in a Bottle" and "Drink Wisely -- Taught by Whom?" As evidenced by the cardinal-and-gold-striped shirt and USC cap worn by two of the individuals in the photo, those pictured [appear to be] USC students. I scoured both related articles for a mention of USC and found none. The articles have to do with underage drinking. Who checked the IDs of the subjects in the photo? USC demolished its on-campus bar earlier this year as part of the new student union project; its fraternities and sororities hold a "dry rush"; and under President Steven B. Sample's tenure, alcohol was abolished from Trojan football games at the Coliseum.

Re "Supervisors failing to act," Column, May 20 Finally, someone is calling for real reform of Los Angeles County government. The fact that the assessor and the sheriff are elected by voters is just part of the problem. A complete overhaul of county government can only be achieved with a review by an elected commission of voters, not politicians. The county is simply unable to reform itself. It needs an elected executive, a bigger Board of Supervisors and an assessor and a sheriff who serve at the pleasure of the executive.

About 75 USC students are being treated in a campus outbreak of a highly contagious gastrointestinal virus. In an e-mail and text message sent early Saturday, school officials asked sick students to watch that evening's football game against the Oregon Ducks from home in order to contain the outbreak. They also advised students to avoid socializing and to drink plenty of fluids. The university's health clinic reported patients complaining of vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhea.